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Anime • Videogames • Manga Genki Life Magazine 3 2011 春 Spring Mar 20-June 21 Toaro Majutsu no Index Interview with Video Blogger Michael Tang New DVD Releases Spring Conventions Manga Inside! Also Seiyûs of Winter 2011 Page used without permission. GIE is not affliated with Loudness. USA TOUR 2011 May 11th: Key Club, Hollywood, California May 21st: Reggie’s Rock Club, Chicago, Illinois May 27th: Tree’s, Dallas, Texas June 1st: B.B. King Blues Club & Grill, New York, New York Contents Spring 2011 Season 2 Editor’s Notes 4 Michael Tang Interview 7 B Gata H Kei Review of this erotic comedy anime 6 Cross Game Review of this epic sports anime 8 Convention Schedule 6 Japan: Magnitude 9.0 The Earthquake and Tsunami 16 New Anime 26 Toaru Majutsu no Index 28 New DVD Releases 32 Manga Releases Cover is of Makoto, Tôma and Index of Toaru Majutsu no Index. 40 Who’s That Seiyû of Winter 2011 Issue 3, Spring March 20, 2010-June 21, 2011 Genki Life is published seasonal, quarterly by The Genshiken of the Inland Empire club, a 42 What’s Really At Stake In Japan’s subsidiary of Studio ArtMix: Intelligent Graphic Design. Subscription of this magazine is free of charge. Please email [email protected] to your request to subscribe to this digital publication as well as any other inquiries about this publication. Any statements made, expressed or implied in Genki Life are solely those of columnists Revised Pornography Laws? and persons being interviewed and do not represent the editorial view of the publisher, who does not accept responsibility of such statements. Unless otherwise specified all design, text, layout, images, graphics, and the selection and arrangement are the copyright works of Studio ArtMix. No part of this publication may be reproduced, in whole or in part 44 Videogame Releases without the written consent of the publisher. Please email [email protected] to obtain permission. Other content are subject to copyright may be the property of their respective owners. Other material mentioned may not have been used with permission in the publication 51 Otaku no Musume-san are so stated herein, but only to promote material on a non-fee basis. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein and/or third party trademarks, trade names and logos contained herein my be the trademarks of their respective owners. All release A Comedic Slice-of-Life Manga dates of products/content herein in are accurate as of the publication date and may be subject to change without notification in any form. Otaku Life Magazine • Spring 2011 1 Editor’s Note Spring is at hand and so is the new anime season. Last season was somewhat mediocre, but there was enough for all sorts of fans to watch. With not that much new anime last season, it gave me time to catch up on old stuff that touched upon briefly. One such example is Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple. Spring also marks the beginning of the convention season. Animé LA back in Janu- ary was probably the biggest anime convention we attended in the Los Angeles area in winter. So a plethora of conventions abound all around the word. This also brings us to the latest news from Japan…the earthquake and tsunami that hit Miyagi Prefecture the hardest. As an anime fan myself, this was pretty hard–even not being Japanese. This is the land where our hobby stems from. A lot of the fan event’ that were scheduled were either cancelled or rescheduled. Also this event could have an adverse effect to conventions here…with fewer Japanese guests making ap- pearances. Anyway, as anime fans, we should go our part, no matter how little, to help out. - Ed Gomez Graphic Designer Editor-Genki Life, President–GIE anime.studioartmix.com • [email protected] 2 Otaku Life Magazine • Spring 2011 Page used without permission. GIE is not affliated with Royal/T. Page used without permission. GIE is not affliated with GI Joe Collector’s Convention. mTANGproductions’ Michael Tang Michael Tang is a convention reporter, anime reviewer and Gardena. I lived in Carson at the time and joined it with a friend of the works. Though if he could only name one thing about mine. I guess if things don’t go your way, have you considered starting hismself, it would be Convention Reporter. But once again, anything pertaining to anime about that time? if he could, he would name them all. I had a chance to talk to Michael, Michael: Well, I’m in my final year in Highschool right now and I think whom I’ve met indirectly last year at Anime Expo 2010. I’ve seen a lot that starting a club or something isn’t something I’ll be interested in of his video-work, podcasts and reviews which are all very, very good. doing. Rather, I like to promote my love and passion for anime and Over the year, I’ve seen a lot of anime video blogs, a lot very mediocre, japanese culture through videos and media. few were good. I’ve even seen most professional reporters blast anime. Ed: Those are excellent ideas. I wish you well. When was the first time As I watched more and more of his works, a lot of them are very inter- you realized that there were anime conventions going on? My genera- esting and puts our beloved hobby to a new positive light. So, let learn a tion pioneered them, but during the first time, I wasn’t able to go. Did little more about Michael in this interview I had with him. you every face anything similar...not being able to because for parents, Ed: So let’s start with the most basic question. How were you first transportation or lack of funds? introduced with anime? Michael: Thats an interesting question. The first time I heard about Michael: I guess I was informally introduced when I was younger them was in the summer of 2006, just days after Anime Expo '06 watching shows on KidsWB. Shows like Pokemon, Card Captors ended. I was upset that I didnt get to go and I promised myself I will (Sakura), and Digimon. I thought of them more as cartoons instead go next year ('07) in which I did. I faced many challenges of course. of anime at that time of course. I started to rent Dragon Ball Z VCR My parents never approved so much on anime, especially a 14 year episodes from the library. They were donated I think so they never old going to a convention by himself. I was able to convince them, and the hardest part was getting to Long Beach CC (where AX was being had a consistency in the seasons or episodes. Then after that, I think held in '07). It was about an hour or so drive from my home, and my the biggest hook was my brother when he started watching Love Hina father had to drive me there, go home, drive there again to pick me up, online. and drive back again, for 4 days. I was able to sneak in a few hundred Ed: In a way, that’s how I started out. Except 20 years earlier. At least bucks which I also spent at the con, non on food, but i think it was when you started out, there were already a lot of stuff on TV. As you well worth it began watching more and more anime, were there any clubs...in school Ed: That’s cool, but hard on your folks. For me, after high school, I went or outside school that you joined? incognito...with college an all. I first heard of AX back in 1994 when Michael: Well, as you know, Elementary and middle school had no I just happen to go to a bookstore in LA. After my first AX in 1994, I clubs. High school had an anime club but it wasnt going in the direc- went to every one since. I have some fond memories of AX 07. What tion I thought it would go. I never joined, in all 4 years. did you do on your first Expo? Did anything stick out for you? And Ed: Wow, in my 10th grade year, I happen to find an anime club in what did you like least of Expo? 4 Otaku Life Magazine • Spring 2011 Michael: I also have fond memories of '07 as well, since it was my first Ed: I see. Aside from production, I remember you saying...last year, if expo (luckily for me, the biggest in NA). My first anime expo was all my memory serves me...did you still want to continue in journalism if about the people…cosplayers, cosplayers, cosplayers. At the time, I it’s still on of your options? never really knew it would be as cool as it was, and I just took a butt Michael: I suck at grammar and reporting (text based). I’m better on load of pictures. I never really attended the events, a concert here camera or behind camera. I don’t think journalism is something I was or there, but that was about it. The biggest memory of '07 was the interested in, but if I ever said I was, I’m not now. concert by Oreskaband. I was a fan of them before I even knew they Ed: Since you want to get into production, was it anime conventions were performing the day I saw them. Of course, they are known for that inspired you to start doing video con-reports? How did you go their unique style and their ending for Naruto as well. I think the least about starting it? liked thing about '07 was the lines and the separation of locations for the con. I walked a lot just to get to one place, then walked back to the Michael: Initially I got into video production separately from anime. At other, it was a nightmare. Oh I forgot, not only was the concert good, the time, both were a major interest to me and I just combined both but there was a specific moment where i will forever remember. They (which ended up as video con reports). I took a video production class played a song, perhaps the one from naruto, but everyone just whipped in middle school which sparked my interest and then at the same time out their phones and made them seem like lighters*, and we all moved I got into anime. Both just blended together naturally. I also felt that them side to side in sync. It was the craziest thing ive ever seen, thou- there wasn’t enough “fan point of view” reports. So I wanted to help sands of people waving in synchronization. Just had to throw that in spread awareness on anime and conventions through video, which was there. another hobby of mine. Ed: That’s amazing! I remember...the foot blisters. I missed Oreskaband, Ed: Oh ok. But there’s one thing I like to let you know. I know when we but I got to see SKIN and all they destroyed their instruments! And first met, it was a rocky start. I hope that behind us now. But the truth I know that Expo is overwhelming. Some of the people we went with of the matter is that it was you who really inspired me to start doing had anime overload and went home early. How did anime influence this magazine. Getting into production, would I dare say...an anima- you, as in who you are and what you will do in future? tion company or something more mainstream? Michael: Well you can thank anime for allowing me to realize my dream Michael: Did we? If we started off on a rocky start, its something of the of working and living in Japan. It also influenced me indirectly, allow- past. But back to your question, animation company is definitely big. ing me to learn about Japanese culture and showing me I love Japanese Is it possible? Absolutely. But something like that is as a small town dramas and commercials, eventually I expect myself to be working for basketball player making it into the NBA. Its there, but just because a production company that does those things. its there doesnt mean you will get it. Ed: Same for me. I started learning about the culture, learned the Ed: That’s true. It’s good to try. Besides you have plenty of time. There’s language in school and wanting to live there and work for a large still college to look forward to. company. But it wasn’t about anime for me at the time, it was because There you have it, the insight of Michael Tang. Be sure to visit Japan was big back in the day. In working for a production company, mTANGproductions' webpage at www.mtangproductions.com and what kind of work will you be doing? Or expecting to do. his YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/mtangproductions. Like I Michael: Hmm…I expect myself to be a production supervisor or mentioned before, these reports are very good. It’s very hard to impress producer. Someone who has power over all aspects of the production an old otaku whose been there, seen it, done it and cynical for a very rather than just a single role. long time. I’m impressed with is. v Otaku Life Magazine • Spring 2011 5 Page used without permission. GIE is not affliated with Anime Mid-Atlantic. Norfolk Marriott Chesapeake Chesapeake ConferencCenter Anime Mid-Atlantic 11 June 17 - 19, 2011 Anime Mid-Atlantic returns again next Fathers’ Day weekend. Updates will be posted on the website throughout the coming year. www.animemidatlantic.com Convention Events Vendors Room Featured Guests Fri & Sat Dances Concerts Cosplay Hall Costume Contest Video Rooms AMV Contest Artist Alley Art Show & Auction Video Game Room Panels & Workshops other Special Events! Special Pre-Registration until September 28th regular - $25 VIP - $40 Preregistration Form Anime Mid-Atlantic June 17 - 19, 2011 Pre - r e g i s t r a t i o n p ostm arked by : $25 until September 28, 2010 Name: $35 until December 31, 2010 $40 until May 31, 2011 Address: VIP registration postmarked by: $40 until September 15, 2010 $50 until December 31, 2010 $60 until May 31, 2011 Email: (check out the website for more information) Phone #: Amount Paid: $ Group Membership Rates 8 or more registrations mailed together and mail to: $30 until December 31, 2010 Pre-registration forms are also Make checks payable to: Anime Mid-Atlantic $35 until May 31, 2011 available on the website at: Anime Mid-Atlantic PO Box 2636 www.animemidatlantic.com Glen Allen, VA 23060 Pre-registrations postmarked after 5.31.2011 will NOT be accepted. 6 Otaku Life Magazine • Spring 2011 GATA KEI Ih appened to stumble upon an anime that was totally different from what I expected. The anime that sur- prised me was “B Gata H Kei.” Though just browsing around to see what is new, this anime caught my eye. My perception of this was a coming of age, a shy boy asking a cute girl out and the romance begins. Af- ter watching this anime, it turned out to be one of the funniest comedic animes that I have seen that was totally opposite from what I originally anticipated. This anime is about a girl named Yamada, the most beautiful and popular senior in her high school, with a goal of having 100 sexual encounters. She wants to reach her goal but the things that are stopping her are her over thought schemes, imagination and her virginity. Yamada tends to over think too much about how to ap- proach and that people may laugh at her because for being inexperienced. She then comes up with a plan, to find a guy who is inexperienced as well, to get the first time out of the way. She actually then bumps into that guy and finds out that he sits next to her in the same class. The guy that Yamada bumps into is named Kosuda Takashi. Kosuda is a plain guy who just comes to school, attends the photography club and then goes home. He is a very quiet and nice guy. He is oblivious when it comes to girls showing signs that they like him. As soon as he bumps into Yamada, his quiet life was going to be turned around. From the animes that I have seen, usually the guy tends to be the pervert but in this anime the girl is the pervert and the guy is the victim. I liked this anime because it shows how Yamada tries to get Kosuda in her own weird ways. I was amused by her thoughts and schemes to get Ko- suda to be her first. It is an entertaining anime from the very beginning to the end that just keeps you laughing. If you want anime with hilarious comedy, pick up and watch B Gata H Kei, you will enjoy it. v Yukimura82 Otaku Life Magazine • Spring 2011 Otaku Life Magazine • Spring 2011 77 Convention Schedule Spring 2011 Shuto Con Conbust Tekkoshocon March 25-26, 2011 March 25-27, 2011 March 31 - April Lansing Convention Center Smith College (Seelye Hall) 3, 2011 Lansing, MI Northampton, MA Pittsburgh www.shutocon.com www.sophia.smith.edu/conbust Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh, PA AggieCon 42 MegaCon www.tekkoshocon. March 25-27, 2011 March 25-27, 2011 org Hilton Hotel and Conference Orange County Convention Center College Station Center Anime College Station, TX Orlando, FL Detour cephvar.tamu.edu/aggiecon www.megaconvention.com April 1-3, 2011 Anime Conji Sheraton Bloom- Animarathon ington Hotel, March 25-27, 2011 March 26, 2011 Minneapolis Town and Country Resort Hotel Bowling Green State South San Diego, CA FreeCon University Minneapolis, MN www.animeconji.org Bowling Green, OH April 8-9, 2011 www.animedetour.com Florida State University Student Con-nichiwa www.animarathon.com EvilleCon Services Building March 25-27, 2011 Mizuumi-Con Tallahassee, FL Holiday Inn Palo Verde April 1-3, 2011 Tucson, AZ March 26, 2011 Evansville Airport Marriott www.tallahasseeanime.com/freecon www.con-nichiwa.com Our Lady of the Lake Evansville, IN UBCon University www.evillecon.com April 8-10, 2011 San Antonio, TX University of Buffalo, North www.mizuumicon.org Kitacon Campus Jaycon April 1-3, 2011 Buffalo, NY Hilton Birmingham Metropole www.ubcon.org March 26-27, 2011 Hotel Elizabethtown College CHS Otaku Fest Birmingham, UK Elizabethtown, PA April 9, 2011 www.kitacon.org www.jaycon.weebly.com Centennial High School Ellicott City, MD GIJoeCon Karoshi-con www.chs-otakufest.com March 31 - April 3, 2011 April 2, 2011 Walt Disney World Dolphin Northern Illinois University, Sukoshicon: Anniston Resort Holmes Student Center April 9, 2011 Lake Buena Dekalb, IL Courtyard Anniston Oxford Vista, FL www.sa.niu.edu/anime/ Oxford, AL www.gijoecon.com k_generalinfo.html www.sukoshicon.com 8 Otaku Life Magazine • Spring 2011